Africa-Press – Liberia. By Lincoln G. Peters
Monrovia, Liberia — April 16, 2026: Three senators have introduced a proposed law titled the Gold Sector Reform Amendment Act of 2026, aimed at amending Liberia’s Mining and Minerals Law of 2000 to address long‐standing gaps in the regulation, formalization, and marketing of the country’s gold resources.
The bill was read during the Liberian Senate’s special session on Thursday, April 16. It was introduced by River Gee County Senator Francis Saidy Dopoh II, Nimba County Senator Nya D. Twayen Jr., and Bong County Senator Johnny K. Kpehe.
In a formal communication to the Senate, the lawmakers said the proposed legislation is intended to bring structure and accountability to the gold sector, noting that more than 70 percent of gold mining activities remain informal. This, they explained, has resulted in significant revenue losses, widespread smuggling, and limited benefits for rural communities where gold is extracted.
Following the reading of the communication by the Secretary of the Senate, plenary voted to refer the bill to a Joint Committee for scrutiny. The committee includes the Judiciary, Human Rights, Claims and Petition Committee; the Committees on Concessions and Investment; and Ways, Means, Finance and Budget.
According to the sponsors, the proposed Act introduces a comprehensive governance framework designed to transform the sector. One of its key provisions is the formalization of Artisanal and Small‐Scale Mining (ASM), requiring all artisanal miners to organize into cooperatives within 36 months. The senators said this measure aims to curb elite capture and ensure mineral rights benefit genuine Liberian entrepreneurs.
The bill also promotes local value addition by establishing a phased five‐year transitional period for mandatory local gold refining. Lawmakers said this will help Liberia move away from exporting raw minerals toward higher‐value beneficiation.
To enhance transparency and traceability, the proposed Act provides for the establishment of Licensed Gold Trading Centers and a national digital gold registry, enabling the government to track gold from extraction to export and significantly reduce illicit trade.
Additionally, the bill seeks to strengthen state participation through the creation of the National Gold Company of Liberia, which would manage state equity in the gold value chain. It also includes environmental and community safeguards, setting a three‐year timeline to phase out toxic mercury use and mandating standardized Community Development Agreements to ensure mining benefits are shared with affected communities.
The senators said the Act is ambitious in policy and designed to shift Liberia’s mineral sector from reform rhetoric to enforceable governance. They believe its passage will boost foreign exchange reserves, create thousands of jobs in refining and trading, and secure national wealth for future generations.
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